Why study earth science?
Exciting and fulfilling careers await those who study earth science. Students interested in the atmospheric sciences can choose from specialties within the disciplines of meteorology and climatology, such as agricultural meteorology, forecasting for a governmental agency or private company, or climatological research. Students interested in the geological sciences can look forward to careers in a wide variety of disciplines related to geology and the environment, including seismology, hydrogeology, environmental geology, or oil and gas exploration.
At Parkland, you'll have the advantage of small class sizes, taught by master faculty—never teaching assistants. Your success is our priority.
Courses
Introduction to Weather (ESC 101): Learn more about earth's atmosphere and the atmospheric conditions that create our weather. Highlights of lab activities include interpretation of weather data and maps, gathering and interpreting current weather data using hand-held data loggers, and a trip to the Illinois State Water Survey to learn about weather instruments and historical weather events in Illinois. This course also examines severe weather events, the impacts of these events on individuals and society, and safety precautions.
Introduction to Physical Geology (ESC 102): Explore the fascinating, dynamic processes that have shaped our earth since its formation. Highlights of lab activities include a trip to a local stream to examine stream processes, gathering and interpreting stream velocity and water quality data with hand-held data loggers, identification of minerals, rocks, and fossils, and interpretation of real-world earthquake data. The course also examines geologic hazards associated with volcanoes, landslides, earthquakes, etc., the impacts of these events on individuals and society, and safety precautions. An optional field trip is offered each semester to enhance classroom learning.
Will my classes transfer?
Introduction to Weather (ESC 101) and Introduction to Physical Geology (ESC 102) satisfy the Physical Science general education requirement at Illinois public universities. Parkland College courses with an even middle digit (such as ENG 101, MAT 128, and BIO 141) are accepted for transfer as general education courses, major courses, or electives as determined by the transfer institution.
For more information about transferring, speak with an academic advisor and visit the Parkland Course Matrix.
Curriculum
Learn more about how these courses fit into a transfer degree or the general education core curriculum (GECC).